JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) – Ricky Ponting scored an unbeaten half-century yesterday to keep alive Australia’s hopes of salvaging the series against South Africa on the fourth day of the second and final test at the Wanderers.
Ponting, desperate for runs to save his international career after scoring just 245 in 15 innings in the last year, finished the penultimate day on 54 not out, steering Australia to 142 for three.
Bad light stopped play 25 minutes before the scheduled close with Australia requiring another 168 runs to win and level the series. Usman Khawaja announced his arrival on the international stage by scoring a determined 65 and shared a crucial third-wicket stand of 122 with Ponting. Elder statesman Ponting and rookie Khawaja steered Australia through a difficult period in the hour before tea, coming together with the score on 19 for two in the third over.
Khawaja batted for almost three hours, facing 110 balls and stroking eight fours and a six. The 24-year-old was strong on the hook shot and it was the leg-spin of fellow Pakistan-born player Imran Tahir that eventually ended the partnership.
Earlier Hashim Amla (105) notched up his 14th test century in the 10th over of the morning as he wristily dabbed Peter Siddle through gully for his 14th four. Amla’s 5-1/2 hour innings ended when he edged a fine delivery from left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson that bounced and seamed across him to wicketkeeper Haddin.
Scoreboard
South Africa first innings 266 (J. Kallis 54, AB. de Villiers 64, A. Prince 50; P. Siddle 3-69)
Australia first innings 296 (S. Watson 88, P. Hughes 88; D. Steyn 4-64)
South Africa second innings (overnight 229-3)
G. Smith c Hughes b Lyon 36
J. Rudolph c Haddin b Cummins 24
H. Amla c Haddin b Johnson 105
J. Kallis c Clarke b Cummins 2
AB. de Villiers c Clarke b Cummins 73
A. Prince run out 2
M. Boucher c Watson b Lyon 13
V. Philander c Haddin b Cummins 23
D. Steyn c Haddin b Cummins 41
M. Morkel b Cummins 0
Imran Tahir not out 4
Extras (b-5, lb-2, w-7, nb-2) 16
Total (all out, 110 overs) 339
Fall of wickets: 1-40 2-75 3-90 4-237 5-249 6-260 7-266 8-314 9-314 10-339
Bowling: Johnson 30-4-101-0 (nb-2), Cummins 29-5-79-6 (w-3), Siddle 27-10-71-0, Lyon 16-4-57-2, Hussey 5-0-14-0, Clarke 2-1-2-0, Ponting 1-0-8-0
